Salish Sea & Me
Whytecliff Park
Let’s celebrate the many life-giving attributes and rich resources that the ocean has provided Coast Salish peoples since time immemorial.
Coast Salish peoples have shared a profound and enduring connection with the Salish Sea for thousands of years, a relationship that has shaped a beautiful culture, identity and way of life. By highlighting and embracing these Indigenous values, knowledge and practices we welcome a more resilient path towards environmental stewardship, climate resilience and reconciliation.
This experience highlights the key concepts of:
Stewardship of our land & oceans through action & accountability
Exploration of seaweeds & seagrasses
Stories of the creatures in the sea and their connections to each other
The history of the Coast Salish Peoples and their relationship to the Ocean
Indigenous Science & advocacy for their rights
Environmental impact on our oceans, sustainability, responsibility, & reconciliation
Wellbeing, health benefits, medicinal properties, and community
What to Expect
Each Salish Sea & Me experience is a conversation with the shoreline; a meeting between land, water, and the people who have walked here for generations.
Guided by a Talaysay Cultural Ambassador, you’ll explore the rich ecosystems of the Salish Sea, learning how Indigenous communities have lived in balance with these tides for millennia.
Your journey begins with a land acknowledgment and a gentle orientation to the relationships that connect us to this place. As you walk along the coast, you’ll discover how the rhythms of the ocean, the forests, and the seasons sustain life; from shellfish and seaweed to towering cedars and the medicines found among them.
Through stories, teachings, and sensory invitations, you’ll gain insight into traditional harvesting practices, sustainable technologies, and the deep cultural teachings that remind us to live with respect and reciprocity.
This tour is interactive and reflective. You’ll be invited to notice patterns in the sand, the textures of rock and seaweed, and the songs carried by the wind and waves. Together, we’ll explore what it means to be in relationship with the natural world, and how each of us is part of the larger story of the Salish Sea.
Every tour concludes with a cup of Indigenous tea; a moment of gratitude, connection, and conversation.
Where We Meet
We gather for Salish Sea & Me at Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver, near the concession stand and main parking lot. This is one of the most breathtaking points along the Salish Sea; a place where forested cliffs meet the open ocean and tidepools reveal a world of life beneath the surface.
From our meeting point, we make our way down to the beach and shoreline, pausing along the way to learn about the cultural and ecological significance of this coastal landscape. Your Talaysay Cultural Ambassador will share stories and teachings of the Salish Sea, the marine relatives that inhabit these waters, and the responsibilities we hold in caring for them.
As tides shift, we explore the rocky intertidal zones, observing seaweeds, shellfish, and the rhythms of life between land and sea. Guests are encouraged to move at a comfortable pace and to bring curiosity, and maybe a camera, for this stunning natural classroom.
Accessibility: The path down to the beach includes uneven and rocky terrain, which may not be suitable for all mobility devices. Walking sticks or canes are recommended for balance. Parking is available in a large nearby lot (paid, when in effect), with accessible washrooms and picnic areas near the concession stand.
Before Your Tour
What to Bring
Good walking shoes
Layered clothing - dress for the weather
A water bottle on warm days
A water resistant jacket on rainy days
Weather Information
We operate our tours and programs in the rain.
The company reserves the right to cancel when extreme weather and wind impacts safety.
Guest Protocol
Tours start promptly
Arrive 15 minutes prior to tour start
Late guests or missed tours are not reimbursed
Individual booking cancellation: 48 hours notice prior to tour is required and a 20% administration fee applies
Group booking cancellation: 10 days notice prior to tour is required and a 20% administration fee applies
Cancellations with less than the required notice are 100% non-refundable
